Arsenal are being linked with a summer bid for Lyon midfielder Max Gonalons, but the Gunners could face competition for his signature from Monaco.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has made adding an imposing defensive-midfield presence one of his summer transfer priorities, with Abou Diaby a long-term absentee, and having been told he has money to spend, Gonalons has emerged as a target.

Several UK newspapers are claiming Wenger has posted scouts at recent Lyon games to take a look at Gonalons and it is being claimed a £10 million bid is being considered.

Gonalons, who has three years remaining on his contract, is also attracting admiring glances from Monaco.

French media reports claimed contact had been made between player and the Principality club, but that has been denied by his agent.

"There has never been formal or informal talks about this possible move (to Monaco)," Gonalons' agent Frederic Guerra told RMC.

"There has also been no contact between Lyon and Monaco on this matter."

Monaco, owned by Russian billionaire Dmitri Rybolovlev, have been linked with a number of high-profile players since coach Claudio Ranieri guided them to within a win of returning to Ligue 1 after a two-year absence.